Ban on Kamal Haasan film stays; Actor sad but will fight for rights

Actor Kamal Haasan was sad but not angry as his espionage thriller Vishwaroopam could not be released as a last night relief by a Chennai judge was shortlived and the ban against the film continues.

The eagerness with which the Tamil Nadu government has been trying the film release the film made the film fraternity wonder about the real reason for Government action. The opposition DMK openly criticized the ban. But the actor looked more pained by the communal slant given to the film and offered to make some changes if the section of Muslim community felt offended by some scenes or dialogues.

Talking to media, Kamal at one stage even talked of leaving India over the humiliation and harassment meted out to him, though he appealed to his fans to stay calm and not resort to any agitation on streets. “...But I believe that along with my Muslim friends, I have been instrument in a political game. I don’t know who is playing and not even hazarding the guess. The fact remains that my history has proven that I have been neither leaning to the left or right but trying to maintain my position,” Haasan said.

He said he has pledged all his property including the house where he grew and where he was holding the press conference and that he would go bankrupt if his lenders takeover these properties in case of a delay in the release of the film.

Moments before the High Court order came, Haasan met some Muslim representatives led by Congress MP J.M. Haroon and anno

On a day of dramatic developments, Kamal Haasan suffered a setback on when the Madras High Court stayed the release of Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu. The relief given to the actor by Justice K. Venkataraman late Tuesday was short lived as a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Aruna Jagadeesan quashed it, effectively stalling its release on Wednesday.

The two-member bench posted the case for hearing next Wednesday. While the 58-year-old actor’s lawyer earlier indicated that they may challenge the decision, his brother Chandra Haasan said they would wait till next Wednesday to decide the next course of action.

Some theatres including one in suburban Villivakkam and another in Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram, which had started showing the film before the order came, were attacked. A petrol bomb was thrown at a theatre in Paramakudi.

The actor said on Wednesday that he will file a petition in the Supreme Court to overturn the ban on his film.
DMK chief doubts

DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Wednesday wondered why Tamil Nadu government had not taken any initiative to resolve the crisis. "Though the Madras High Court judge has suggested an amicable solution, Tamil Nadu government has not taken any initiative," he said writing in the party organ 'Murasoli'.

Karunanidhi also cited reports suggesting that a TV channel close to AIADMK wanted to buy the film but that the producers had refused saying they had spent over Rs 100 crore.

He also referred to reports that at a function recently, Kamal Hassan wanted a 'dhoti clad' Tamilian to become the Prime Minister', apparently referring to P Chidambaram's potential to occupy the top job.

Various political leaders and film personalities, including superstar Rajinikant, have appealed to Muslims to cooperate in the release of the film and Hassan himself had said he was not against Muslims and the film was not against them, the DMK chief said.

"Why has Tamil Nadu government taken such a harsh decision and ordered a ban on the film"? Karunanidhi said. Criticising the ban on the movie, DMDK leader Vijaykanth warned if Jayalalithaa government continued to take 'anti-people' stand, it would face the fury of the people.